Dental Assistant Pay

Dallas vs Mission: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Dallas, TX and Mission, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$49,064
$23.59/hr
Mission, TX
$38,741
$18.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXMission, TX
Median Salary$49,064$38,741
Hourly Rate$23.59$18.63
Entry Level (P10)$37,976$29,069
25th Percentile$46,795$34,804
75th Percentile$51,219$45,759
Top Earner (P90)$60,553$51,797
Total Employed9,01022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($49,064) and Mission ($38,741) dental assistant salaries.DallasMissionMedian Salary$49,064$38,741Entry Level (P10)$37,976$29,069Top Earner (P90)$60,553$51,797US Median $49,579

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mission.

The salary gap between Dallas and Mission is $10,323 (26.65%). Dallas's median is -1.04% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $22,577,Mission spans $22,728. Mission has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$37,976
P25$46,795
Median$49,064
P75$51,219
P90 (Top)$60,553
Mission
P10 (Entry)$29,069
P25$34,804
Median$38,741
P75$45,759
P90 (Top)$51,797

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($47,593 effective) pays 17.94% more than Mission ($40,355 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $49,064
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $47,593
Mission
Nominal: $38,741
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $40,355

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,064/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,553)
  • Larger job market (9,010 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,593)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Mission if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Dallas grew 13.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.0% growth in Mission over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+13.2%

$42,020 (2019) → $47,570 (2025)

Mission, TX

+-11.0%

$42,191 (2024) → $37,562 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Dallas or Mission?

Dallas has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,064/year, compared to Mission at $38,741/year — a difference of $10,323 (26.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Mission?

Dallas dental assistants earn $23.59/hr while Mission hygienists earn $18.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Mission as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Mission. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $47,593, Mission = $40,355), job availability (9,010 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Dallas vs Mission?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,976 in Dallas and $29,069 in Mission. The Dallas area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov